Chapter 23
“I will be back on Monday.” Jared held his cell to his ear. His laptop was precariously balanced on his thighs. In a few minutes, the first-class flight attendant would ask him to store all of his electronic devices for take off. “Tico’s new product launches in two weeks. I need to hold the management teams’ hands through the last-minute preparations, but then I’m back.”
“We’re throwing three deluxe princess parties this weekend,” Lucy said lightly. “I’ll be spending the rest of the week ironing gowns and baking cookies. We agreed to provide fifty frosted castle treats for one of the parties.”
“So you won’t have time to miss me?” he teased.
“Oh, I will. My weekend would be so much better if you were here to help me out of my gown at the end of the day,” she said in a light voice.
“Mine too.” The flight attendant approached his row. She wore a friendly, but firm, smile. “I need to go, Lucy. But I’ll have Internet access once we’re in the air.”
“I’ll see you Monday,” she said. “This time, I’m planning the date. I don’t want to run the risk a thunderstorm or another alligator will interrupt.”
“Sounds great.” The flight attendant was no longer smiling at him. He’d never regretted choosing a commercial flight over his private plane before. But damn, he didn’t want to hang up on Lucy. “I’ll call you when I land. I—” He coughed. “Bye, Lucy.”
Under the flight attendant’s watchful eyes, he turned off his cell and slipped his laptop in to the seat pocket in front of him. Then he turned to the window.
I love you.
He’d nearly blurted out the words. But he knew that before takeoff, with a stern flight attendant staring him down, wasn’t the time or place to casually toss out that declaration. He couldn’t set off the fireworks and then walk away.
He stared at the clouds through the narrow window. The plane slipped into the dense, fluffy layer of sky, and then flew back out. A familiar tone resonated in the cabin. An official announcement followed, granting him permission to use his electronic devices.
He pulled out his computer and opened his email. New messages flooded his inbox. His fingers hovered over the keyboard.
Am I falling in love with Lucy Linden?
He shook his head. He couldn’t answer that question now. He needed more time.
Three more emails appeared in his inbox. The subject line of the last one read: We have a problem. All three were from Tico Software upper management. Jared clicked on the first message. His personal life needed to take a backseat until Monday. Right now, his company needed him.
He’d built The Mitchell Fund on his reputation for success. Tico Software was the cornerstone. He couldn’t afford a misstep. Not with this product launch. And not after the mess with the sugar deal. Rumors could sink his fund just as fast as reality. If investors and potential companies looked to other private equity firms—and logically, they would if his recent track record showed a list of failures—the company he’d built from nothing would sink beyond the point of repair.
What if Lucy slips away while I’m in New York?
His fingers froze over the keyboard, and he looked up. He couldn’t lose her. It had nothing to do with her brother, or how closely their lives were entwined. Lucy had shocked some part of him to life.
But Lucy knew what it took to build a business. She would understand. Still, she wouldn’t wait for him to solve Tico’s latest crisis unless she believed he was coming back.
Somehow he had to show Lucy that he was committed to her. He would give her everything she wanted. He’d deliver every wild, risky fantasy she’d ever imagined, and he’d offer the security that her ex had stolen.
“I’m going to deliver the fairy tale, Lucy,” he murmured. “Everything your sweet princess alter ego wanted after the prince turned out the lights.”
That’s where her dates—and all of the drunken dads—had gone wrong in the past. They thought the Cinderella illusion was for them. But Lucy deserved the fantasy. And it went so much deeper than a sweet girl in a pretty dress. The man who dropped everything to find the woman who’d captured his heart—that was the fantasy, the unicorn, and the dream that seemed so damn elusive. The so-called prince who saw every facet of the woman he loved.
His jaw clenched, and he closed his eyes, his fingers still hovering over the keyboard.
I’m going to sweep you off your feet, Lucy.
He returned to his computer screen and clicked into his calendar. He needed to find a time to see Lucy.
“Take off the gown, princess.”
Lucy froze. Her gloved hand pressed against the hallway wall. A thunderstorm had rolled in on their drive back from the late Sunday afternoon birthday extravaganza. The rain had passed, but the sky remained dark. And they hadn’t bothered to leave the entryway lights on. Plus, this deep, familiar voice came from inside the house.
“Jared?” she called. “What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming back until Monday.”
“I had to change my plans. The Tico marketing team needs me in New Jersey all day tomorrow.”
There goes my plan for a romantic dinner at City Place, she thought. But she’d had a feeling when she made the reservation that she’d be calling to cancel.
And he’s here now.
Suddenly, her feet, sore from a long weekend of parties and mock glass slippers, hurt a little less. She walked down the hall, past the doorway leading to their office and flicked the light switch. Jared stood at the base of the stairs with his right shoulder leaning against the wall. While she was still dressed for work, he’d traded his usual button down shirt for a faded grey t-shirt that read The Taco Bar First Anniversary across the chest. Either the shirt had shrunk in the wash or his biceps had grown since the restaurant’s first year. Not that it mattered why the fabric hugged his muscular arms.
“How did you get in?” she asked.
“Finn swung by and unlocked the door.” He nodded to her. “Now take off your gown.”
“Nicole and Emma—”
“Already drove away,” he said. “I spoke with Emma this morning and gave her access to my house. Don’t worry about the princesses. I sent Finn over to check on them. He’s out of earshot. Now Lucy, please. Take. Off. Your. Dress.”
She reached behind her and slowly drew the zipper down. “You really are a recovering workaholic,” she murmured. “Slipping out of the state between meetings.”
“I’m trying, Lucy,” he said. “I know this isn’t the date you planned. I still owe you a meal, but I only have an hour before I told the pilot to have my plane ready.”
“You flew to Florida for one hour with me?” She felt the gown loosen around her chest and ribs.
“I wanted to see you.” His gaze followed her neckline as the dress loosened and then lowered, revealing her strapless bra. “Beige underwear?”
“Always.” She let the dress slip down her body, past her abdomen. She carefully drew it over her waist and then released it. The gown fell to the ground in a blue heap. “No one is supposed to see Cinderella’s undergarments.”
“This is a first?” His voice was a low, seductive rumble that threatened to turn her unattractive, full-coverage panties into Victoria’s latest secret. And his blue eyes . . . he studied the tops of her thick, white thigh-high stockings as if he’d never seen anything like them. He probably hadn’t, unless he’d seduced a woman dressed up like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.
“Yes.” She slipped off the pseudo-glass slippers made of plastic and stepped over the gown. “This is a first.”
“I didn’t come here for Cinderella.” He reached his left arm out and ran a finger over the upper edge of her strapless bra. “Maybe you should take this off.”
“A good idea.” She reached behind her, released the hooks, and let the bra fall to his feet.
He trailed his fingers over the swell of her breast. Her nipples tightened, silently begging him to stay and play. But he ignored the request, instead drawing a line down her stomach. “No corset?” he murmured. “I thought it was part of the costume.”
“I gave mine up,” she said. “Too restrictive.”
His fingers slipped under the elastic band of her underwear. “I feel the same about these.”
She nodded and gently pushed his hand away. Then she stripped off the underwear she’d never planned to wear for him.
“And the stockings?” She raised her right leg and rested the ball of her foot on the bottom step. Her inner thigh brushed against his jeans.
“Leave them,” he growled.
He drew her against his body. His clothes felt rough against her bare skin, but her hips still rocked against him.
“Let me kiss you, Lucy.” He ran his hands over her back, holding her tight. “Before you take off anything else.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
His mouth claimed hers, and the world around her spun out of focus. She pressed against him. Her lips and tongue demanded more. His palms ran over her ass and squeezed. She arched into his touch.
We’re not going to make it to the bedroom.
She drew back from his kiss. “Do you have a condom with you?”
He laughed. “I came prepared to make love to you the minute I saw you.”
“Oh thank goodness.” She slipped her hands under his t-shirt and pressed her fingers into the hard ridges of his sculpted abs. “Now, it’s your turn to lose the clothes.”
Grinning, he released her and pulled his shirt off. “But you should know that I’ve been tested, and I’m clean. I should have told you the other night on the beach.”
“Jared.”
“You have a right to know that it had been a while since I was with anyone else. And I wouldn’t have touched you if I wasn’t sure. I have too much respect for—”
She pressed a finger to his lips. “Please don’t mention my brother. I know you care about him, but, please don’t.”
He caught her hand in his and drew it away from his mouths. “I would have stayed away out of respect for you, Lucy.” He spoke in a low, firm tone. “I don’t give a damn whose sister you are. You deserve a man who will do everything in his power to keep you safe.”
“Jared.” She met his intense gaze. If he hadn’t been holding her, she would have stumbled away. One step. Maybe two.
“And that’s not all.” He smiled at her as if he had a secret that would melt her stockings off.
He wrapped his hands around her waist and shifted her to one side. Then he moved behind her and dropped a kiss on the nape of her neck. “Lucy, you deserve to see your dreams come true.”
He placed his palm flat between her shoulder blades and gently guided her forward. Her hands reached for the fourth step as he explored the curve of her back. “And Lucy?”
“Hmmm?” she murmured, stepping her feet apart. She could hear him drawing down his zipper.
“Your brother is the last thing on my mind right now,” he added, lifting his hand off her back.
“Mine too.” Her chin dropped to her chest as her bottom pressed up. Behind her, his jeans rustled. The sound of the condom ripping followed.
And then, finally, she felt him pressing against her, begging for entrance. She tightened her grip on the wooden step. Her heels rose up as if she’d slipped into an imaginary pair of glass slippers. He responded by sliding into her. Not all the way. Not yet. Delicious pleasure rippled down her legs.
“More,” she whispered.
He teased her with another inch and then another.
“Not funny,” she said, rocking her hips back to demand more and more from him.
“Not laughing.” His hand wrapped tightly around her hips. He thrust hard and fast into her.
“Jared,” she gasped. Her body rocked from the momentum. The muscles in her legs and arms threatened to buckle. But she wanted to remain strong. He felt so big and powerful behind her. He thrust into her as if he’d forgotten the meaning of control. She looked over her right shoulder, twisting her torso just enough.
“Fuck.” He exhaled the word through clenched teeth. His muscles constricted, and his fingers dug deeper into her skin as if trying to keep her hips from torquing around his cock. He lifted his right foot and placed it on the bottom step. Then he thrust deeper. Harder.
She closed her eyes.
I could live right here . . . chasing this orgasm forever . . . loving the feel of him inside me.
“Look at me,” he ordered.
“If I open my eyes—” she inhaled sharply, “—it will be over. If I look . . . ” She panted around the building pleasure. “If I look at you, I’ll . . . this will be over.”
“Look at me,” he repeated.
She opened her eyes, careful to keep her chin against her right shoulder. He stared at her with ferocity that bordered on animalistic.
“Jared.” Her body tightened around him as the orgasm to end all orgasms overtook her. Her hips rocked, bypassing rhythm and barreling straight toward the road marked pleasure.
He slammed into her quivering, jerking body one more time and stilled. His head tipped back, and his grip tightened.
“I fucking love you,” he growled.
Her brow furrowed, and her head turned to face the stairs. It was as if she’d accidentally walked in on an intimate moment. As if she’d pushed open a door, and overheard something that wasn’t intended for her ears.
He hadn’t meant to say that. Not out loud. I love you—those words didn’t fit. They were on her front stairs.
Maybe he was talking to the orgasm.
She kept her gaze fixed on the floorboards. His movements slowed. She felt him pull out, leaving her empty and wanting. Her body was ready for the second round. Only maybe this time she would sit him down on the stairs and ride him.
Because he’d given her exactly what she wanted. He’d said the magic words. They could mount their horses and ride off into the sunset. Jared Mitchell, the gorgeous billionaire bachelor, loved with her. She wanted to stay right there—finding her way, learning him, and loving him.
“Lucy?” he murmured.
She pushed off the stairs, righting herself before she turned to face him. He’d pulled his jeans up but hadn’t secured them. She could still see the waistband of his boxer briefs. A trail of dark hair ran up from the elastic strip. She followed his sculpted abdomen up to his chest.
“I meant what I said, Lucy.”
Her eyes widened, and her brows arched.
“I royally fucked up the timing,” he admitted. “But dammit, I’m falling for you.” He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. A loud ring accompanied his touch.
She glanced at his pocket. “They’re calling you away.”
Ring! Ring! Ring!
He sighed. “I wish I didn’t have to leave, but I can’t mess up this product launch. I need to get this right. The fund can’t afford another misstep.”
So I’m leaving you behind . . . I’ve heard that line before, she thought.
She shook her head as if hoping to dislodge the memory. This time was different. Jared wasn’t her ex. He wanted to make this work.
“I understand,” she whispered. She leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss to his lips. “You still owe me dinner when you get back.”
“Friday,” he promised as his phone started ringing again. “I’ll see you Friday.”
His phone called out from his pocket, and he stepped back. He withdrew the cell from his pocket and held it against his ear with his shoulder. His hands quickly zipped and buttoned his jeans.
“I’ll be right there,” he said into the phone. “I’m twenty minutes from the airport.”
He ended the call and dropped a brief kiss to her lips. “See you later, princess.”
She waited for the front door to close and then sank down onto the bottom step. She’d won the billionaire bachelor’s heart. Her future suddenly looked bigger than she’d even imagined—and more complicated. He’d flown to Florida to spend an hour with her because she’d wished he could be there to help her out of her gown.
And that makes sense to him, she thought.
But she couldn’t build a future on stolen hours. She couldn’t trust that when she truly needed him, he would drop everything and fly to her side.
“Because I need him now,” she told the empty hallway. “And first thing when I wake up in the morning. And it’s just not possible.”
She glanced at the crumbled blue ball gown. She wouldn’t walk away from her company. She might play Cinderella, but at the end of the day, she wasn’t slaving away for an evil stepmother. She was her own boss. And she spent her days delivering joy and birthday wishes. She made sick kids smile and laugh. Her Happy Ever After didn’t require a rescue—not from a prince or a billionaire.
“But that doesn’t mean I don’t want my prince,” she murmured as she stood and headed for her gown. “I want Jared.”
She scooped her dress off the floor and held it to her chest. What kind of warped fairy tale had she stepped into?